- Home
- Covid-19 News
- Latest News
- Sector News
- Back
- Base Metals
- Coal
- Chemicals
- CSR
- Diamonds
- Diversified Miners
- Environmental
- Exploration
- Ferrous Metals
- Fluorspar
- Gemstones
- Gold
- Graphite
- Health & Safety
- Hydrogen
- Legislative Environment
- Lithium
- Critical Minerals
- Mineral Sands
- Mining Services
- Oil and Gas
- Platinum Group Metals
- Potash & Phosphates
- Project Management
- Rare-Earth Minerals
- Silver
- Uranium
- Vanadium
- World News
- Magazine
- Video Reports
- Audio
- Research
- Press Office
- Electra Mining
- Back
- Electra Mining Home
- Electra Clips
- Floorplan
- Electra Mining E-Magazine
- Electra Mining Day 1 on 07 September 2020
- Electra Mining Day 2 on 08 September 2020
- Electra Mining Day 3 on 09 September 2020
- Electra Mining Day 4 on 10 September 2020
- Electra Mining Day 5 on 11 September 2020
- Electra Mining Day 6 on 17 September 2020
- Announcements
- Virtual Showroom
- Topics
- What's On
- Jobs
- Tenders
- Mining Indaba
- Apps
- Product Portal
- About Us
- Legal Notice
- Comment Guidelines
- Marketing Videos
- Live Twitter Feed
Diamonds News
New technologies transforming mining, metals industry – ICMM 
By: Martin Creamer 14th May 2021 New technologies are transforming the mining and metals industry, making it cleaner and safer, says the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), which is progressing an 'innovation for cleaner, safer vehicles' initiative. The initiative brings together 28 of the world’s leading mining... →
Russia’s biggest cut diamond fetches $14.1m at Christie’s
By: Bloomberg 14th May 2021 A flawless 100.94-ct colorless diamond that’s considered to be the biggest polished gem from Russia sold for 12.84-million Swiss francs ($14.1-million) at Christie’s in Geneva. The Spectacle, which was cut from a rough stone discovered by Alrosa at an alluvial mine in Russia’s Far East in 2016,... →
Company announces emerald auction results
14th May 2021 Emerald miner Gemfields, which operates the Kagem emerald mine in Lufwanyama, Zambia, last month announced the results of an emerald auction comprising a series of five sequential mini auctions that were held between March 15 and April 17. The proceeds of this auction will be fully repatriated to... →
MAINTAINING CRITICAL OPERATIONS Operations at Kagem mine, suspended for a year until March 2021, were expected to ramp back up to full scale by the end of April
Mining production, sales increase year-on-year in March
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th May 2021 Mining production increased by 21.3% year-on-year in March, data published by Statistics South Africa shows. The largest positive contributors were platinum group metals (PGM), with a 68.6% increase and contributing 11.6 percentage points; iron-ore, with a 47.9% increase and contributing 4.1... →
Lulo delivers another large diamond
By: Esmarie Iannucci 13th May 2021 Diamond miner Lucapa has recovered a 138 ct diamond from Mining Block 46 at its Lulo operation, in Angola. The ASX-listed company on Thursday said that this was the seventh diamond of more than 100 ct to be recovered in 2021 so far, and the 24th stone of more than 100 ct to be recovered at Lulo... →
Petra agrees to settlement over human rights abuses claims
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 12th May 2021 A settlement has been agreed with diamond miner Petra Diamonds following claims of serious human rights abuses at its majority-owned Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania. Law firm Leigh Day has agreed the settlement on behalf of 71 claimants who allege that they suffered serious human rights... →
Strong demand for diamonds, rough and smooth, boosts Alrosa sales
By: Reuters 12th May 2021 Russia's Alrosa, the world's largest producer of rough diamonds, said on Wednesday its April sales of rough and polished stones rose by 12% month-on-month to $401-million after demand for diamond jewellery strengthened in the main markets. Global demand for precious stones has been recovering... →
Anglo says technology integral to its sustainability
By: Schalk Burger 12th May 2021 Diversified mining multinational Anglo American on May 11 provided a detailed overview and update of the technologies that are being developed and deployed group-wide, as well as the impact of its operating model changes, to sustain and improve its operations. “Technology and innovation are... →
Lucapa sells more diamonds
By: Esmarie Iannucci 11th May 2021 Diamond miner Lucapa Diamonds has sold a 4 000 ct parcel of diamonds, generating A$6.3-million in revenue. The sale excluded seven high value diamonds, including two pink diamonds, which have been put aside for later sale, the company said. →
Colleagues pay tribute to Wits’ Fred Cawood as he prepares to retire 
By: Donna Slater 10th May 2021 After 22 years with the Wits School of Mining Engineering, Wits Mining Institute director Professor Fred Cawood is planning to retire at the end of May, starting what he calls his “second life” at the age of 60. He explains that the theory behind a “second life” is based on Japanese work ethics... →
Gem recovers another large diamond at Letšeng
By: Creamer Media Reporter 10th May 2021 LSE-listed Gem Diamonds has recovered a high-quality 370 ct Type II white diamond from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. This follows the company's announcement on May 4 of the recovery of a high-quality 254 ct Type II white diamond. →
Artisanal and small-scale mining workforce has tripled from 2001
By: Donna Slater 7th May 2021 Mineworkers in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) industry make up the world’s largest mining workforce, with the number of such workers more than tripling from 13-million estimate of 2001 by the International Labour Organisation, reveals the yearly report on the state of the ASM industry... →
Protest action across South Africa damaging country’s prospects for further investment, exploration
By: Simone Liedtke 7th May 2021 The Minerals Council South Africa has condemned the “violence and thuggery” being experienced at various operations and in various communities across South Africa and has called on authorities – especially the South African Police Service – to “act swiftly and impartially” to ensure the safety of... →
Lucara reports higher first-quarter earnings
By: Creamer Media Reporter 7th May 2021 Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamond Corp achieved adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of $22.2-million for the quarter ended March 31, compared with the Ebitda of $8.1-million reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. It earned net income of... →
New training centre for diamond mine
By: Darren Parker 7th May 2021 Diamond mining company De Beers Group – majority owned by diversified mining major Anglo American – is constructing a new training facility at its Venetia Diamond Mine, in Limpopo, to facilitate the transitional training of personnel for the Venetia Underground Project (VUP). The VUP is under way... →
Lucara secures $220m for Botswana diamond mine expansion
By: Mariaan Webb 6th May 2021 Canadian miner Lucara Diamond Corp has secured credit-approved commitments for senior debt facilities of up to $220-million to fund the underground expansion of its Karowe mine that will allow the operation to continue until at least 2040. The facilities will include project financing of... →
Tanzania gets renewed hope to transform mining industry with Hassan administration – Leon
By: Donna Slater 5th May 2021 The “change of tone” brought by Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan over the past month could indicate a welcome new economic direction for the country, professional services firm Herbert Smith Freehills partner and Africa co-chairperson Peter Leon says. In March, former Tanzania... →
Mothae diamonds sell for $1.5m
By: Creamer Media Reporter 5th May 2021 Australia-based Lucapa Diamond Company has netted $1.5-million from the sale of 3 617 ct of diamonds from its Mothae mine, in Lesotho. The company achieved a price of $420/ct in this third sale of 2021. The average diamond price achieved in the three sales to date in 2021 is $936/ct. →
World’s biggest jewellery maker will no longer use mined diamonds
By: Bloomberg 4th May 2021 Pandora, which makes more pieces of jewelry than any other company in the world, will stop using mined diamonds as part of a broader strategy to drop raw materials associated with unethical production methods. Despite decades of reform, the global jewelry market remains tainted by reports of... →
Gem recovers 254 ct diamond
By: Creamer Media Reporter 4th May 2021 LSE-listed Gem Diamonds has recovered a high-quality 254 ct Type II white diamond from the Letšeng mine, in Lesotho. →
De Beers overtakes Newmont to lead ESG ranking of global miners
By: Bloomberg 30th April 2021 The world’s biggest diamond producer may not be the first name that comes to mind in a ranking of top ESG performers. But that’s what the latest industry survey revealed. De Beers scored the highest in London-based Alva’s quarterly rating of environmental, social and governance perceptions this... →
WFDB launches fundraising campaign for Covid-19 relief in India
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 29th April 2021 Industry organisation the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has launched a campaign, Diamond Aid, to raise funds to help India in its battle against Covid-19. On April 28, the WFDB executive committee held an emergency session over Zoom and decided unanimously to mobilise the... →
Alrosa recommends record high dividend amid strong demand for diamonds
By: Reuters 29th April 2021 Russia's Alrosa, the world's largest producer of rough diamonds, has recommended a record half-year dividend payment of 70.3-billion roubles ($938-million) representing 80% of its free cash flow (FCF), the State-controlled company said on Wednesday. The company, which competes with Anglo American... →
Mining policy should be hugely supportive of exploration’s multiplier magic – investor
By: Martin Creamer 28th April 2021 Mining, preceded by exploration, is the greatest economic multiplier of all business activities, including government expenditure, says Integral Asset Management chief investment officer Bruce Williamson. It therefore makes huge sense for government to enact attractive investment-friendly... →
Diamond stash worth billions sold off after demand roars back
By: Bloomberg 26th April 2021 The diamond industry’s collapse last year left the biggest producers with billions of dollars of uncut gems stashed away in safes. Now, in a matter of months, they’ve suddenly found buyers. The huge stockpile was built up when the diamond world came to a standstill during the height of the... →
Debswana expects new strategy to create at least $900m in extra revenue
By: Reuters 23rd April 2021 Debswana Diamond Company, a joint venture between the Botswana government and Anglo American’s De Beers, said on Friday that its new business strategy adopted last year should enable it to create at least ten-billion pula ($924-million) in additional revenue over the next four years. The... →
De Beers, BMH Africa launch skills development programme
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 23rd April 2021 Diamond miner De Beers’ Venetia mine, in partnership with contracting partner BMH Africa, on April 23 launched a programme to develop skills in the construction industry and ultimately enhance the local skills base. The programme, which is part of De Beers Group’s Socio-Economic Development... →
Diamcor sells 2 122.76 ct in latest tender
By: Donna Slater 22nd April 2021 TSX-listed junior diamond miner Diamcor Mining – in its first tender and sale of rough diamonds recovered from the processing of quarry material from its Krone-Endora at Venetia project during its new fiscal year starting April 1 – tendered and sold 2 122.76 ct. The sale generated initial gross... →
Anglo American lifts first-quarter output on strong copper, PGMs performance
By: Donna Slater 22nd April 2021 Diversified miner Anglo American managed to meet strong customer demand during the quarter ended March 31, despite some limited constraints at certain operations as a result of Covid-19, CE Mark Cutifani says. He notes that production for the quarter was achieved at 95% of normal operating capacity. →
Gem Diamonds records solid first-quarter performance
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 22nd April 2021 London-listed Gem Diamonds recovered 29 010 ct of diamonds from its 70%-owned Letšeng mine, in Lesotho, in the quarter ended March 31, an increase from the 26 110 ct produced in the first quarter of 2020. Gem sold 26 919 ct of diamonds and generated revenue of $43.9-million. The average price... →
BlueRock lifts Kareevlei production, extraction and grade
By: Donna Slater 20th April 2021 Aim-listed diamond producer BlueRock Diamonds, which operates the Kareevlei diamond mine, near Kimberley in South Africa, reports that its production for the first quarter of this year had increased by 40% year-on-year, despite adverse weather conditions. The mine produced 3 507 ct in the... →
Petra’s revenue increases as diamond market improves
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th April 2021 Diamond miner Petra Diamonds’ revenue for the quarter ended March 31 – the third quarter of its 2021 financial year – increased by 16% year-on-year to $106-million, as prices recovered to pre-Covid-19 levels. For the nine months ended March 31, revenue was $284.2-million, in line with that of the... →
Arctic Star strikes new kimberlite
By: Creamer Media Reporter 19th April 2021 Exploration company Arctic Star has announced a new discovery on the Diagras joint venture project, which is next to the Diavik and Ekati diamond mines, in Northwest Territory. Named the Birch kimberlite, it was discovered by targeting an electromagnetic and gravity anomaly. →
Botswana Diamonds to undertake second stage drilling campaign at Thorny River
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th April 2021 Dual-listed diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds will begin a further drilling programme on its Thorny River diamond prospect, in South Africa’s Limpopo province, on April 19. Following the discovery of the River kimberlite pipe, the company upgraded the potential of the property. →
Covid outbreak weighs on Mountain Province Q1 production
By: Mariaan Webb 14th April 2021 Canadian diamond miner Mountain Province has reported a sharp drop in first-quarter production, following the 22-day shutdown of its Gahcho Kué mine after a Covid outbreak in February. The mine recovered 1.39-million carats, which is 16% lower than the comparable quarter of 2020. The recovered... →
Exploration industry has tight deadline to comment on controversial draft regulations
By: Martin Creamer 9th April 2021 South Africa’s exploration industry has until April 19 to comment on controversial regulations still in draft form. “They’ve never consulted industry about it and what they are requesting is impractical,” says Allan Saad, a consulting exploration geologist, who formerly represented the now... →
S&P upgrades Petra’s credit rating, but negative outlook remains for now
By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th April 2021 Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global has raised its long-term issuer credit rating on London-listed Petra Diamonds to ‘B-‘ from ‘D’, after the company reduced its debt by $375-million and extended its maturities for the next two years. S&P forecasts that Petra’s ratings-adjusted debt... →
BlueRock issues new shares to repay loan to former CEO
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 7th April 2021 Aim-listed BlueRock Diamonds has issued 61 013 ordinary shares at a price of £0.43 a share to part satisfy the payment of interest and repayment premium in accordance with the terms of the original loan agreement between the company and its former CEO Adam Waugh. The loan has now been repaid in... →
Latest News
Latest Videos
Company Announcements
